Basic Cardio Panel

Sample Report

Why Run the Complete Cardio Profile with Oxidized LDL?

Complete Cardio Profile with Oxidized LDL: Profile 6100

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women, accounting for every 1 in 4 deaths. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and overweight, and certain lifestyle choices, such as a poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol, increase the risk.

Oxidized LDL

Oxidized LDL

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is LDL that has been damaged by unstable molecules known as free radicals. This type of LDL is more dangerous to the arteries than non-oxidized LDL and is more likely to lead to the formation of fatty deposits known as plaque. While LDL is often called, “the bad cholesterol,” oxLDL may be a more reliable indicator of plaque formation in arteries8. Levels of oxidized LDL may help predict who will develop metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that raises the risk for CVD. Information about oxLDL is presented as a ratio and as an individual marker. A high Ox LDL:HDL Ratio can help discriminate patients with coronary artery disease from healthy subjects.

LDL

LDL

Low-density lipoprotein makes up 60-70% of total serum cholesterol. It is the degradation product of VLDL, whose primary role is to transport triglycerides in the blood. LDL has a longer half-life and is, therefore, the preferred measurement. While LDL is often called, “the bad cholesterol,” oxLDL may be a more reliable indicator of plaque formation in arteries8.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat, or lipid, in the blood. Some triglycerides are made by the liver. Others come from eating. After a meal, any excess calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. The fat cells release the triglycerides for energy when it’s needed. High triglycerides, in combination with low HDL or high LDL, can contribute to atherosclerotic disease.

Conditions associated with imbalanced triglyceride levels include:

Cholesterol: HDL Ratio

Cholesterol

HDL Ratio:

Cholesterol: HDL ratio is a conventional lipoprotein ratio that is traditionally used to assess CVD. It has been used to detect ischemic heart disease risk. A lower ratio is ideal. For men, a ratio of 5 or less is recommended and for women, a ratio of 4.4 or less is ideal2.

Conditions that may be associated with elevated cholesterol: HDL levels include:12

VLDL

VLDL

Very-low-density lipoprotein makes up 10-15% of total serum cholesterol and is the precursor of LDL, produced in the liver and the intestines.13 VLDL contains the highest quantity of triglycerides in its makeup, as opposed to other lipoproteins.

Conditions that may be associated with elevated VLDL14levels include:

Hemoglobin A1c

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hemoglobin A1c, also known as HbA1c, is a type of hemoglobin that has become coated with glucose. High blood sugar levels result in more HbA1c.

This test indicates a person’s average level of blood glucose (blood sugar) over the previous 6 to 12 weeks. It’s used to confirm a suspicion of diabetes and to assess how well the disease is being managed.

Ferritin

Ferritin

Ferritin is a protein that binds to iron. The ferritin blood test indirectly measures the amount of iron in the blood. It’s used to evaluate the body’s iron stores. High ferritin levels can indicate an inflammatory condition.

Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen, also known as factor 1, is a protein made in the liver that is necessary for blood clot formation. Inflammatory conditions can increase the level of fibrinogen. This test is sometimes used along with other CVD tests to help assess a person’s risk of heart disease.

Adiponectin/Leptin

Adiponectin/Leptin

Adiponectin is a protein released by fat cells. It’s involved in breaking down fatty acids and in regulating blood sugar. Blood levels of adiponectin in people with diabetes who also have coronary artery disease (CAD) are lower than in those who don’t have CAD, suggesting that higher levels may help protect against CAD.21 As levels of adiponectin decrease, obesity tends to increase.22

Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that helps control appetite by signaling satiety (fullness). High levels correlate with increased body mass index (BMI) and increased body fat percentage.

The Adiponectin/Leptin Profile is also available as a stand-alone test. It measures both adiponectin and leptin and provides a ratio of the two.

Insulin

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows the body's cells to absorb glucose from the blood. It also reduces the amount of glucose the liver makes.

In insulin resistance, the body’s cells are insensitive to the messages from insulin. As a result, cells cannot absorb glucose properly and glucose builds up in the blood.23 The pancreas tries to compensate for this imbalance by producing more and more insulin. With enough insulin, blood glucose levels remain in range. However, the body eventually cannot produce enough insulin to override the difficulty of getting glucose into the cells. Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes develops when this break-down in cell communication progresses, leading to chronically elevated blood glucose and insulin levels.